DIFC’s amended data protection regulations ensure responsible development of artificial intelligence systems

DIFC’s amended data protection regulations ensure responsible development of artificial intelligence systems

Regulation also places transparency and openness at its core

In September 2023, the DIFC published an amended version of its Data Protection Regulations. — KT file

By Vivek Prasad Published: Sun 8 Oct 2023, 10:01 PM

The UAE aims to become one of the leading nations in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2031, in alignment with the UAE Centennial 2071. AI as a sector is poised to create new economic, educational, and social opportunities for citizens, governments and businesses. This is projected to generate up to Dh335 billion in extra growth.

AI systems rely heavily on data that they are trained on, and data prompts that users input. So, it is no surprise that data protection and privacy go hand in glove with the development of AI Systems. Mindful of this, in September 2023, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) published an amended version of its Data Protection Regulations. While, the Regulations had some important amendments dealing with inadvertently obtained personal data, and the use of personal data for marketing and communications, the provision which that sparked considerable interest is the newly introduced Regulation 10 of the Data Protection Regulations.

Regulation 10 is the first enacted regulation in the Middle East, Africa and Southern Asia (MEASA)